The academic and political landscape of Nigeria mourns the recent passing of Dr. Samuel Olusegun Ọṣọba, a towering figure in Marxist scholarship and a fearless voice for social justice. Dr. Ọṣọba, who breathed his last on May 14 at the ripe age of 92 in his Ijẹbu-Ode residence, left an indelible mark on generations of Nigerians, inspiring a deep understanding of the nation’s history and its intricate power dynamics. News of his peaceful transition, first shared by his devoted family, quickly reverberated through academic corridors, trade union networks, civil society organizations, and among members of the Nigerian Left, signalling the departure of not just a historian, but a living testament to intellectual integrity and moral courage.
At the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Dr. Ọṣọba was an intellectual force, transforming the institution into a veritable crucible for progressive thought. Under his profound influence, a vibrant cohort of trade unionists, civil society activists, lawyers, journalists, and politicians emerged, carrying his teachings into the heart of Nigerian public life for decades. He was renowned for his exceptional ability to bridge the gap between rigorous scholarship and social responsibility, selflessly mentoring and guiding young academics as they embarked on their careers, instilling in them a clarity often missing in the ivory tower.
Fondly remembered as a “radical lecturer” and “a father-figure of radicalism” at OAU, Dr. Ọṣọba’s distinct intellectual and human attributes made him irreplaceable. His tenure in the Department of History was nothing short of intellectually revolutionary. As noted by Professor Toyin Falola, who started his PhD under Professor SA Akintoye before Osoba took over, the late scholar’s guidance was pivotal. Falola’s upcoming memoir promises to offer a fascinating comparative study of two great scholars of differing orientations, reflecting the vibrant intellectual ferment Osoba fostered. Dr. Ọṣọba’s passion for history was infectious, his gift lying in his capacity to demystify complex historical narratives, making them accessible and profoundly relevant to his students. His seminars, known for their dynamism and participatory nature, consistently pushed students towards critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, never compromising intellectual rigour for ideological conformity.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ọṣọba taught his students to view history not merely as a chronicle of the past, but as an indispensable tool for deciphering the present. He empowered them to dissect power structures across time, unravelling the ideological underpinnings of seemingly impartial accounts. His radicalism was deeply human, social, and transformative, recognising that intellectual life thrived as much in informal discussions in hallways and canteens as it did in formal lecture theatres. He seamlessly integrated his political convictions into all spheres of his life, without reservation.
Perhaps his most widely recognized contribution outside academic circles remains his pivotal role in the co-authorship of the *Minority Report and Draft Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1976*. This remains one of the most compelling sagas in Nigeria’s constitutional history. In 1976, General Murtala Mohammed appointed Dr. Ọṣọba alongside Dr. Yusufu Bala Usman to the Constitutional Drafting Committee. However, they bravely diverged from the majority’s conservative leanings, which largely mirrored the inherited “Lugardian system” of colonial administration. Together, they penned and submitted their “pro-people” Minority Report, an alternative constitutional blueprint that aimed to protect the interests of the masses, starkly contrasting what many Nigerians still perceive as an establishment-oriented framework.
Dr. Ọṣọba’s scholarly output was extensive and profoundly relevant to the public intellectual discourse of his era. A specialist in Nigeria’s social and economic history, he approached his research from a nuanced Marxist perspective. His work meticulously explored the structures of exploitation and accumulation, the nexus between colonialism and the emergence of a comprador bourgeoisie, and how the colonial encounter shaped class formation. He meticulously documented the mechanisms through which Nigeria’s post-colonial ruling class consolidated power, often at the expense of the vast majority.
His pioneering work on corruption in Nigerian public life was truly groundbreaking, offering an original assessment of its role and a penetrating analysis of neocolonialism. These seminal contributions, still highly relevant, offer invaluable insights for contemporary scholars grappling with the challenges of decolonization and nation-building. Dr. Ọṣọba astutely identified the ways in which the nation-building process has been undermined by the bourgeoisie and their collaborators, a phenomenon he foresaw long before many others. Throughout his distinguished life, he remained unwavering in his dedication to the development and emancipation of the Nigerian populace.
Dr. Ọṣọba’s legacy extends far beyond his many publications. He spawned generations of intellectuals who applied his analytical frameworks across diverse fields, including law, media, activism, and politics. He was instrumental in establishing a robust tradition of radical scholarship in Nigeria, a legacy that, despite sustained attacks by military regimes and economic adversities, has steadfastly refused to fade. His incisive critiques of Nigerian power structures and corruption have been repeatedly vindicated by history. He was a man of uncommon honesty, truthfully articulating Nigeria’s origins and ongoing challenges at a time when such candour carried significant personal cost, a price he paid without complaint.
The profound acknowledgment by even those who once opposed him stands as a testament to his greatness. Notably, General Olusegun Obasanjo, in his memoir *My Watch*, referred to Dr. Ọṣọba as “the last true social critic,” a poignant admission given that Obasanjo had once dismissed the *Minority Report* as “non-existent.” Such reluctant acceptance from the highest echelons of power often serves as the ultimate measure of an intellectual’s enduring impact. Dr. Ọṣọba was a diligent scholar, mining archives to uncover forgotten narratives, rescuing from dust the hard memory of labour, peasants, and merchants—the anonymous hands that built empires on bruised backs. He revealed that history transcended the anthems of monarchs and the rhetoric of governors; it was the scream in the marketplace, the perspiration on rail lines, the muted voices under colonial ensigns. He demonstrated how Marxist ideas were not distant theories but practical lanterns held against an African storm, revealing class struggle manifest in cocoa farms, busy ports, and the plight of the poor.
Dr. Samuel Olusegun Ọṣọba, the “scribe of resistance,” whose pen knew no rest, relentlessly wrote against squandered riches, against power forged in blood, and against development that failed to feed the hungry. He taught that history is not neutral terrain, but a living, breathing ground where the past and present constantly interact. His words continue to echo through classrooms, spark fiery conversations, and inspire young Africans striving for liberties greater than mere catchphrases. The archives, the workers, and the collective conscience of Africa will forever remember him.
Originally sourced from Premium Times. This article has been rewritten for our readers.
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